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Episode 36: An Elusive Exclusive!

Kyle sucked in a deep breath as the bright lights flared in his glasses. Charlie had lights and cameras set up in all different areas to capture different views. And he now was sitting uncomfortably in a plush seat directly across from Jane, who was feverishly adjusting her hair. He felt like a guest on a talk show, and they'd already been interviewing him for fifteen minutes.

"Okay. Break's over." Jane pointed to Charlie, who glanced up at her from above his coffee.

"Already?" He sat his mug down on the table and got behind his camera.

"Yes." Jane waited until the light on the camera turned green before turning to Kyle. "So Kyle, you've told us your story of your time in Kanto. Now please inform us of your exploits in Johto."

"No." Kyle looked at her sternly, catching her off guard. "That's a story I'll never tell to the press. Sorry."

Jane pressed a microphone against her lips. "Why ever not?"

"Sorry, but I just won't." Kyle closed his eyes, trying not to dwell on that time. "But I do recall a certain stubborn reporter at the Johto championship."

Jane looked flustered. "Yes. Jubilife News asked me to interview some of the contestants from a different league. And yours, however brief it was, got the most ratings."

"So they asked you then to follow me all through Hoenn?" Kyle grinned.

"Indeed." She nodded. "And you made it very difficult."

"I was in a bad place then. I certainly didn't want a tv crew scrutinizing my every move."

"Well that is my job." Jane said angrily. "Or at least it was." She mumbled. "But this isn't an interview on me. Tell us more about you and your travels."

"Honestly not much happened to me during Hoenn though. I just struggled to get through it as fast as I could."

"And why did you do that anyway?" Jane adjusted her ivory colored skirt. "We've all heard how you beat the Johto league in six months. You got through Hoenn in around a year. Why so quickly?"

"In order to get here to Sinnoh." Kyle leaned back in his chair, placing his hands behind his head. "I had somewhere to go here. But regardless of that, I took my time getting to Solacean Town."

"Oh?" Jane leaned forward. "Just what was so pressing in that small town?"

"Shonna." Kyle felt a slight blush. "Shonna was waiting for me there."

Jane leaned back, looking a bit disappointed. "I see. I must say. I was surprised to see you here in Sinnoh. You came here just for that?"

"Well, of course I wanted to compete in the league as well." Kyle tapped a foot against the floor. "But yes, I came for her."

Jane looked away. "You're going to make the ladies out there swoon."

Kyle shrugged.

"Anyway. I have some generic questions for you as well. Not so personal." Jane pulled out a list. "First off, tell us about the famous Arcanine you carry around your neck there."

"Arcanine?" Kyle touched the pokeball resting on his chest.

"And he's your real powerhouse on your team, isn't he?"

"Well yes. But it's more than that. He's my best buddy. He's always been there for me. We're inseparable."

Jane smiled. "And your other pokemon?"

"I love them all. I like to switch them up every now and then, but I have a team set up for here in Sinnoh."

"Mind giving us some insight on your team?"

Kyle was hesitant. "Sure. Guess it can't hurt. There's my other powerhouses, Scizor and Charmeleon. Then Absol and Skarmory, which I'm working on training more. And lastly, I have a Munchlax and a Jolteon. But, they're only babies right now. They're still learning."

Jane counted on her fingers. "That's seven."

"Well, like I said, I like to switch them up." Kyle ran a hand through his reddish brown hair. "Like, if I ever need to surf around, I bring back Gyarados to my team."

"That makes sense." Jane nodded. "That way you could give everyone a chance to train."

"Exactly." He smiled.

"How old are you Kyle?" Jane smiled into the camera.

"I'm 18. Soon to be 19 though, in one week."

"Well! Happy birthday, though its early." A flush came across Jane's cheeks.

"Thanks I guess."

"Just how many badges do you have anyway?"

"31 as of now, and before you ask, I only have one left to get in Sinnoh." He nodded.

Jane trailed a finger down her list. "How do you prefer to travel? Do you still ride your red bike a lot?"

"I do ride it from time to time, but lately Shonna and I have been riding on my Arcanine. His thick fur makes it better for getting around in this snowy town. So, it just depends on the climate I suppose. And personal preference."

"Here's another question I had for you." Jane studied her list. "Just what keeps you going on these adventures?"

"Shonna." Kyle smiled again. "The driving factor has always been Shonna. Even if I didn't know it at the time."

Jane snorted. "Kyle, what's the secret to becoming a good trainer and what qualities do you look for when you are catching pokemon?"

Kyle sucked in a breath again. This had a long, contemplative answer. "All pokemon are different, regardless of what people say. You could catch 1000 pidgeys, and I guarantee you that every one of them will have their own needs that differ from the rest. When you are catching a pokemon you have no idea what it is going to be like, but you have to work yourself around that pokemon, not it around you. Trusting in my pokemon, that is the key in my opinion. To me my pokemon are not just members of my party, but instead they are my family and friends. We work together, through everything, and we trust one another. That's my secret."

Jane smiled once more into the camera. "You heard it here first folks. The famous Kyle Gray has finally spoke. What insight that will give to all of the young trainers out there? This is Jane with Jubilife News, signing off." She sighed. "Cut." She looked to Charlie. "Wrap it up. That should be good."

"Okay! I'll send it over to HQ through the PC right now Jane!" Charlie popped out the tape, rushing out of the room.

"Glad that's over with." Kyle stood up.

"Wait! Sit back down please." Jane said, tossing her mic off. "I have a question for you. Off the record."

Kyle sat back down impatiently. "Make it quick Jane."

x-x-x

I stirred about an hour later to light knocking on the door. I sat up and rubbed my eyes.

"Shonna. It's Hope. I'm sorry to bother you, but Charlie said the interview's all done. Come in here whenever you're ready." I heard her footsteps walk away.

I made my way out and into the lobby. Hope pointed from the reception desk, over to a well-lit room in the back. I made my way over, leaving the spare key I'd borrowed earlier with her. I noticed Charlie over at the PC in the corner doing something. Stepping into the doorway, I could see bright lights focused on Kyle and Jane, who were sitting across from each other, but the rest of the room was actually quite dark. "Why are they still here?" I whispered. "I thought the interview was over."

Jane crossed one leg over her other, leaning forward a bit. "Kyle, why don't we get out of here for a while. I'll buy you a drink."

Kyle laughed. "I'm too young. Remember?"

"Fine, then let's just go out somewhere. Blondie's still curled up asleep somewhere right?"

I could feel my blood boil. But, I was interested to see the answer to this question.

Kyle smiled before standing up. "I don't think you're getting what I'm trying to tell you Jane. You're too old for me. Besides, I love that blondie, and I'd never go out on her."

Jane grew livid. "I'm not that old!" She stood up, looking resilient. "You just wait Kyle. One of these days she's going to walk out on you like she did back in Kanto, then you'll wish you had…"

"Shut up." Kyle glared at her, before turning toward the door. It was then that he noticed me there. Jane turned to look at me as well, but didn't seem phased by my presence.

I smiled widely at both of them. "You know what? I was just about to fix some hot cocoa. Would you like some Kyle?"

"Sure." He smiled slightly before walking passed me out the room.

"Jane? How about you?" I smiled warmly at her.

"No. Thanks." She turned away, looking a little guilty now.

I turned back to the room where Kyle, Charlie and Hope stood. "How about we all have some hot chocolate and watch a movie together?"

"That sounds like fun!" Hope smiled. We can watch it right here in the lobby. There's a big screen and some couches over there."

"I'll stick with my coffee." Charlie held up his mug. "But a movie sounds good. I don't have anything better to do until HQ approves the tape I sent in. That'll be a while."

"Is it okay though?" Kyle looked to Hope.

"Yes. The center has been really quiet today. But if anyone does come in I'll be here to help them." She blushed. "I have one in the back I've been wanting to watch, but it's a romantic comedy."

"Chick flick." Charlie sipped on his coffee, turning to Kyle.

"Sounds like it." He laughed.

We got the hot cocoa, and some popcorn, and all sat down to watch the movie. Kyle and I took one long couch, and Hope sat beside me. Charlie sat adjacent, on another couch. I wrapped my arms around one of Kyle's, resting my head on his shoulder. He smiled at me before turning back to the movie.

It wasn't too much longer before Jane plopped down on the sofa beside Charlie.

Charlie offered his popcorn to her. "Want some?"

"Sure." She took a handful and ate each one piece by piece.